CORE GRANTS

G-RAP offers access to multi-annual Core Grants to Research and Advocacy Organisations with an established track record of influencing public policy processes. The size of a Core Grant is tailored to the needs and absorption capacity of each successful applicant, and could range between 25% and 40% of the institution’s total annual budget per grant year.

Core Grants - sometimes called budget support - do not target specific projects or activities but go to support overall budgets of organisations. This implies that Core Grants may also be used to finance overhead or investment costs. A characteristic of Core Grants is that it allows beneficiary organisations a lot of space to prioritise the use of the funds. On the other hand, an institution receiving a Core Grant will have to report to G-RAP twice a year on its entire financial exercise (income and expenditure).

The support can be used in many ways as long as it is covered explicitly in the institution’s annual workplan and budget (i.e. total budget!), consistent with the organisation’s multi-annual strategy. Obviously, a healthy balance needs to be maintained between the institution’s activity budget and its overheads. The annual workplan and budget are to be submitted to G-RAP for review and form part of the contractual agreement.

Core Grants contracts are normally signed for periods of up to three years. At the end of each year, extension or renewal of the contract is subject to annual audits and self-assessments.

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